A VOLUNTEER who launched a campaign to save lives has been named national fundraiser of the year with the UK Heart Safe Awards.

Brian Firth, from Guiseley, launched the Global CPAD Campaign four years ago to raise funds for Community Public Access Defibrillators.

He was prompted to take action after the death of a customer in Morrisons car park in Guiseley just after he had signed off duty as a Community First Responder. Guiseley Morrisons and three other Morrisons Supermarkets have since been very supportive of the campaign, allowing CPADs to be fitted to the outside their stores.

Brian said: "The campaign has gone from strength to strength resulting in Aireborough and adjoining towns of Wharfedale now benefitting from a higher coverage than most other communities around the UK."

He has also installed defibrillators in Leeds, Rotherham and Berwick upon Tweed.

He said: "The CPADs are available 24/7 and can be used by anyone, with or without training. In the event of witnessing a cardiac arrest bystanders will naturally dial 999, at which time the ambulance service will advise the caller of any nearby CPAD and give them the access code."

He was named Fundraiser of the Year at a UK Heart Safe Awards event in Manchester.

To find out more about the campaign visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/PublicAccessDefibrillators or ring Brian on 07909660375.